Murder charges two years after woman's death

Two people have been charged with murder almost two years after a woman was found dead at her home.

Helen Bloomfield, 52, had been dead for several weeks before her body was discovered in Aetheric Road, Braintree, on 19 April 2024.

Detectives initially treated her death as unexpected, but Essex Police said on Monday they now believed it to be suspicious.

Charlotte James, 29, of St Michael's Lane, Braintree, and 40-year-old Amy Keely, of no fixed address, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday and will return to enter a plea on 15 June.

Det Ch Insp Greg Wood, who is leading the investigation, described the circumstances in which Bloomfield's body was found as "unusual".

Her family had been supported by specialist officers since her death, he added.

"Over the last two years, investigators have carefully considered the evidence," Wood said.

"Our thoughts remain with Helen's family who have endured an incredibly difficult two years following her death."

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